Elevated serum D-arabinitol levels in patients with sarcoidosis

D-Arabinitol has been found in the serum of patients with candidiasis in an incidence varying from 38 to 82%. While screening serum by gas chromatography for the presence of this sugar, we observed elevated concentrations in several patients with sarcoidosis. In an attempt to determine the significance of this chance observation, we tested serum from additional patients with sarcoidosis along with serum from patients with other clinical conditions known to be associated with elevated D-arabinitol levels. Of 53 patients with sarcoidosis, 27 (51%) had elevated concentrations of this compound. Only one of these patients had decreased renal function (creatinine, 2.5 mg/dl). We were unable to correlate elevated values with extent of the disease. Although the significance of this finding is not clear, it may represent a clue to the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.